Question on setting up GY401 and AVCS

[sireric]

Hi.

I've installed my GY401 on channel 4 and the gain on channel 5 (with a HS50 servo). When I startup the power, the gyro initializes and switches to AVCS mode (steady light)

However, on my Futaba 6 ex transmitter, when I change the channel 5 switch to move between AVCS and normal mode, the gyro stays in the steady light.

Shouldn't it switch to slow blinking "normal" mode? I've got both channel 4 and 5 at End points at 100%, linear curves and gyro mode enabled with gain at 70% for both normal and AVCS.

The AVCS mode does seem to work -- If I move the tail left, I see the proper movement for the propeler, and the rudder response seems good. I've also set the limit and it seems ok.

Thanks for any advice.

[z11355]

in normal mode, the LED will be OFF, not blinking.

if you have the yellow wire plugged into channel 5, then you shouldn't be trying to
use 'gyro mode'.

Disable gyro mode and use the endpoints of channel 5 to control gain.

are you SURE that the switch you think is controlling channel 5 is really controlling channel 5?

[zflarez]

The light stays on in heading hold mode when no stick input is given. A way to see what mode you are in is to give a touch of right or left rudder and see if the servo continues to move at the same speed till it reaches its endpoint. When the rudder is returned to center position on stick the servo should not center itself but stay were you left it. Basically it shouldn't be acting like a regular servo which does exactly what you tell it.

The switch shouldn't be used for normal or heading hold mode but rather to change the gain in heading hold mode. You use the idle up switch so that when you go into idle up and the tail increases rpm the gain is set lower. For me the idle up switch does three tasks. pitch curve change, governor head speed setting, and the heading hold gain. You don't need idle up now but set the idle up switch to 80% and 70%. If the switch is three position you can put another gain setting in, just don't use normal mode.

[zflarez]

To change all of this go into the gyro menu which might be with the advanced menus. I own a 9chp but checked the manuall for you radio and it is all in there. Do not program a switch by using a mix setup but rather the gyro menu in your radio, it is all in the manual. Be sure to turn the gyro setting to on and not INH. Here is the link go to page 17. http://www.futaba-rc.com/manuals/6exh-manual.pdf

[sireric]

Yes, I meant "off", not "slow blinking". I knew it was not steady, and forgot is was simply off.

Ok, I just figured it out, trying to look at all the stuff you guys suggested and remembering the video on Gyro settings.

Basically, I needed to set the gain to +70% on AVCS, and -60% on the normal (note the sign). I had "+" on both.

Now switching the switch turns off the LED.

Thanks again!!

[zflarez]

You don't want to use normal mode. Keep both switch positions in heading hold, the percent is just the gain setting. Normal mode is old technology and you do not want to use it. Have idle up set to 60% and normal idle set to 70.

[BarracudaHockey]

And make sure you turn DS mode off with that servo or it wont last but about 5 minutes.

[Bayou Talker]

I use 10% in non-hh mode. If it is set too high (I don't remember the exact number) it will not exit AVCS mode. It does not need to be a negative number. The only time I use "Normal" mode is to set up the tail linkage. I adjust the linkage so that the heli will hover straight without any input from the sticks. After that adjustment is made then switch to AVCS and fly there all of the time. When you do this, the tail slider will be a little off center. That is normal. If you do not set it to this position mechanically, the servo will have to pull it there continuously instead. That uses more battery power and more wear on the servo.

[WayneBrown]

You don't want to use normal mode. Keep both switch positions in heading hold, the percent is just the gain setting. Normal mode is old technology and you do not want to use it. Have idle up set to 60% and normal idle set to 70.
Just where do you get your information?
There are a couple obvious flaws with the quoted statement;
You DEFINATELY want normal mode. You will use normal mode to mechanically setup your tail linkage. Failing to setup your tail linkage will drastically reduce the lifespan of your tail servo.
The switch shouldn't be used for normal or heading hold mode but rather to change the gain in heading hold mode.
The ideal setup for HH would be one that holds without hunting in hover, and in FF. Why confuse the issue with having too many switches involved?
There is no need to switch gain amounts during flight if the gyro is properly setup to begin with.